Four East Mississippi residents are among 31 Mississippi State University students who are new scholarship recipients in one of the state’s most prestigious teacher education programs.

Housed in MSU’s College of Education, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship, available to majors in K-12 education, includes full tuition, room and board, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience.

The four MSU students from East Mississippi chosen as scholarship recipients are Avrie Boles, of Meridian, a sophomore elementary education major; Ethan Bunty, of Decatur, a sophomore secondary education major with a concentration in English; Sarah Cooksey, of Collinsville, a junior elementary education major; and Kendal Davidson, of Quitman, a freshman secondary education major with a concentration in math.

Funded by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years.

“We are excited to welcome these future educators and our 12th cohort of METP scholars from across the state and nation,” said Teresa Jayroe, dean of the College of Education. “The support from the Robert M. Hearin Foundation for our outstanding METP scholars positively impacts education and communities across the state of Mississippi.”

To qualify for the competitive scholarship, applicants should have at least a 28 ACT — or 1310 SAT — score and a 3.5 high school GPA. Applicants also must participate in an interview with faculty, submit an essay on their interest in the teaching profession and commit to teaching in Mississippi in their program area for at least five years after graduation. This obligation may be deferred if students decide to enter graduate degree programs.

“These recipients of the METP scholarship will make a difference in the lives of their students and change the future of education in Mississippi,” said Kim Hall, associate dean of the College of Education and coprincipal investigator for the METP grant. “Already, we have seen the tremendous impact graduates of this program have had on the lives of children and within their communities.”